<< And indeed random mutations to the
pronounciation can separate two dialects into two languages in about 1000
years. >>
The history of the breakup of Latin shows the Romance languages developing
in about 1000 years; so, this sounds right to me.
Question: What sources do you know of for objectively estimating the time
needed for one language to change into two languages? Also, does language
change into two languages always involve separation of population groups into
geographically separated areas?
Paul S.